Babcock University has expelled a student, Oladipupo Siwajuola, over allegations of engaging in ritual practices, drug peddling, and impersonation, following a recent controversy sparked by his mother’s claim that he had gone missing.
The university made the announcement on Wednesday through a statement signed by its Director of Marketing and Communication, Joshua Suleiman.
According to Suleiman, the student deliberately sneaked out of the campus without authorisation, disguising himself in a hoodie and exiting through the university’s Teaching Hospital gate.
“Siwajuola returned to campus on May 15 and was invited for questioning by the Department of Secret Service,” Suleiman explained. “During the session, he confessed to buying black soap from a traditional herbalist for N100,000—not for treating any skin condition as claimed by his mother, but for ritual purposes related to ‘Yahoo Yahoo Plus’.”
The term ‘Yahoo Yahoo Plus’ is commonly used in Nigeria to describe internet fraud combined with fetish practices.
Suleiman continued: “He admitted to drug peddling, borrowing N500,000 from an online loan app to gamble, and opening a bank account under another student’s name. He also sold his phone without permission and misled the buyer by claiming his father approved it.”
The controversy began after Siwajuola’s mother, Fijabi Oyindamola Omotayo, posted on Facebook on May 3 alleging that her son had disappeared and accusing the school of negligence. Her claims quickly went viral, attracting public sympathy and scrutiny of the university.
However, Babcock revealed that the missing student was later discovered by the mother of his friend, Sodiq, who was alarmed after recognising him in online discussions. She then informed Siwajuola’s family of his whereabouts.
The university’s investigations found the student guilty of multiple violations including unauthorised exit from campus, use of fetish items, drug trafficking, impersonation, dishonesty, and unauthorised sale of personal property.
Suleiman noted that the decision to expel him was consistent with global best practices and Babcock’s commitment to student welfare.
“While we recognise the emotional weight of this decision, especially for the family involved, our foremost responsibility remains the safety and moral integrity of all students entrusted to our care,” he stated.
Although the university initially considered legal action against Siwajuola’s mother for what it described as “sensational and misleading” social media accusations, it has decided not to proceed—citing the respectful conduct of the student’s father.
“These claims were not only false but also misleading. However, because of the responsible conduct shown by the student’s father, the university will not pursue a libel case at this time,” Suleiman concluded.
